Collapsible infeed/outfeed table with shelf

ABSTRACT

The present application provides for a collapsible table. The table may be constructed of a first table top section and a second table top section which may be pivotally connected together by a center support structure. The table may have two sets of legs. A first set of legs may be pivotally attached to the center support structure and a second set of legs may also be pivotally attached to the center support structure. Each set of legs may also be attached to the table top via a first and a second leg support extending from the legs to the table top sections. A shelf connection may be placed between the first and second leg support wherein, a shelf attached to each pair of legs the shelf may have a first section and second section, wherein the sections are attached to each other at opposite ends of the shelf connection.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to collapsible workbenches. More specifically, theinvention relates to collapsible work tables, infeed/outfeed tables, andmobile stands for power tools.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Portable, wheeled tool carts have been available for some time. One suchprior art tool cart is shown and described by Wise, the inventor herein,in U.S. Pat. No. 5,642,898, issued Jul. 1, 1997. Additional tool cartshave been described in the patent literature. For instance, U.S. Pat.No. 4,955,941, issued Sep. 11, 1990, to Rousseau, describes a supporttable for a bench saw. U.S. Pat. No. 4,230,329, issued Oct. 28, 1980 toJohnson, describes a mobile cart. U.S. Pat. No. 5,161,590, issued Nov.10, 1992, to Otto, describes a miter saw table apparatus. U.S. Pat. No.5,255,724, issued Oct. 26, 1993, to Butke, describes an adjustableextension assembly. A brochure showing the Rousseau SS2850 productdiscloses a mobile miter saw stand.

U.S. Design patent No. D535,491 issued Jan. 23, 2007 to the inventorherein entitled “Convertible Work Bench”, discloses a collapsible worktable that is suitable for supporting a powered saw such as a miter saw,chop saw, or other crosscut type of saw. That work bench includesadjustable infeed and outfeed bars for supporting an elongated workpieceto be crosscut. The inventor herein has further been issued U.S. Pat.No. 6,886,836 on May 3, 2005 titled “Counterbalanced Universal MobileSaw Stand” that is particularly well adapted for supporting a poweredcrosscut saw in both an elevated position for working at standingheight, and a collapsed position for working adjacent the floor, such aswhen mitering floor moldings for carpentry. The disclosed device is alsowell adapted for transporting a powered saw, such as a chop saw or thelike to and from a work site. Thus, the above prior art discloses a widerange of configurations for infeed/outfeed tables, collapsible sawsupport stands, collapsible work tables, and portable infeed/outfeedtables. Further, those of ordinary skill in the art are aware ofclamp-like devices supporting elongated rollers that may be attached toconventional sawhorses for use as infeed/outfeed supports for materialsto be crosscut. It is also known that sawhorses may be of thecollapsible, reusable type.

Nevertheless, none of the above prior art devices are well adapted forperforming all of these functions in a single, lightweight device.

Thus, a need exists for a collapsible work stand that can also serve asan infeed/outfeed table for supporting materials to be crosscut, alightweight collapsible work surface, and a powered tool support table.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide acollapsible infeed/outfeed table for supporting materials to becrosscut.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a collapsibleinfeed/outfeed table that achieves the above object, and which also canbe configured to act as a support table for a powered crosscut type ofsaw.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide acollapsible infeed/outfeed table that achieves the above objects andwhich further yet may be configured as a collapsible, portable andlightweight work table.

The invention achieves the above objects, and other objects andadvantages that will become apparent from the description which follows,by providing a collapsible infeed/outfeed table having a generallyA-frame configuration. The table includes a pair of foldable, laterallyextensible work support surfaces in the form of wings that are pivotallyconnected to two pairs of foldable, elongated support legs. Each supportleg pivotally supports a foldable strut having a first end pivotallyconnected to a corresponding support leg and a distal free end slidablyconnected to the foldable wing that corresponds to the connected leg.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the support legs and wingsare pivotally connected to a pair of stanchions at an upper end thereof.A lower end of each stanchion is pivotally connected to a pair offoldable support braces having distal free ends that are slidablyconnected to the support legs. The stanchions may be provided with atelescoping roller that is retractable below the extended surface of thelaterally extensible work support surfaces so as to provide anunobstructed upper surface for the table. This central roller may beraised to an extended position with the work support surfaces collapsedinto their stowed positions such that the table may be used as aninfeed/outfeed roller for a powered saw. The work support surfaces mayalso be provided at their free ends with a pair of extendable rollersthat may be raised from the work support surfaces such that, when thecentral roller is retracted, a powered saw, such as a chop saw, mitersaw, or the like may be positioned centrally on the table, with therollers on the work support surfaces acting as the infeed/outfeedrollers. The collapsible infeed/outfeed table is thus capable of servingas an infeed/outfeed roller support (with the central roller extended,and the laterally extensible work support surfaces collapsed); acollapsible work table (with the laterally extensible work supportsurfaces extended and all of the rollers retracted); and a powered sawsupport stand (with the laterally extensible work support surfacesextended, the central roller retracted, and the rollers at the end ofthe work support surfaces extended). In any event, the entire table canbe collapsed into a convenient form for carrying and storage.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the table includes a shelfthat is located below the table surface between the legs. This shelf mayact as a support in order to keep the table in a deployed manner. Insome embodiments there may be an additional support under the shelf tokeep the shelf from collapsing. By using the shelf as an added support,stanchions can be removed to allow for a lighter more functional table.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from the following detailed description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the characteristic features of this invention will beparticularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and mannerin which it may be made and used may be better understood after a reviewof the following description, taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.

FIG. 1 is an isometric, top right perspective view of a collapsibleinfeed/outfeed table in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the table shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, partial side elevational view of circled area 3in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, sectional side elevational view of the circledarea 4 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged, side elevational view similar to FIG. 3, showingthe central roller in an extended position.

FIG. 6 shows a side elevation view of an embodiment of the table withthe shelf underneath.

FIG. 7 shows a close-up, inset exploded view of an embodiment of thetable, depicting the table top attachment.

FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of the table with additional leg supportspositioned below the shelf.

FIG. 9 shows a close-up, inset view of pivots in the leg supports of anembodiment of the table.

FIG. 10 shows a side view of an embodiment of the table wherein the legsupports can slide in the legs.

FIG. 11 shows a side view of an embodiment of the table wherein the legsupports can slide in the table top.

FIG. 12 shows a side elevation view of an embodiment of the tablewherein the shelf has a straight split down a middle of the shelf.

FIG. 13 shows a side elevation view of an embodiment of the tablewherein the table includes a set of wheels on one set of legs of thetable.

FIG. 14 shows a side elevation view of an embodiment of the tablewherein the table includes a foot pedal to unlock the table.

FIG. 15 shows a side view of an embodiment of the table wherein thetable includes a shelf support and the table lock.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A collapsible infeed/outfeed table in accordance with the principles ofthe invention is generally indicated at reference numeral 10 in thevarious Figures of the attached drawings wherein numbered elements inthe Figures correspond to like numbered elements herein.

The table 10 has a pair of selectively foldable, laterally extensiblework support surfaces or wings 12, 14 that may be used to support workmaterials, a powered crosscut type of saw (e.g., a miter saw, slidingcompound crosscut saw, compact powered band saw, etc.) or as a supportfor rollers for purposes that will be described hereinbelow. The wingsare preferably manufactured from a sturdy material, such as sheet steel,and may be perforated (not shown) to prevent sheet materials, such asplywood from adhering thereto in response to a partial vacuum at asurface interface of the working material with the table. Each worksurface has a corresponding inner end 16, 18 that is pivotally connectedto bracket portions 20, 22 of a pair of vertical stanchions 24, 26 sothat the wings 12, 14 may be pivoted between an extended position, shownin FIGS. 1 through 5, and a collapsed position (not shown) adjacent totwo pairs of support legs 28, 30, 32, and 34. The support legs areelongated and have upper ends 36, 38, 40, and 44 that are coaxiallypivotable about bracket portions 20, 22, such as by way of bolts 46, 48,as best seen in FIG. 3. The support legs are reinforced by support legcross-braces 50, 52 adjacent to the free ends 54, 56, 58, and 60 of thecorresponding support legs 28, 30, 32, and 34. Similarly, the stanchions24, 26 are supported by a stanchion cross-brace 62 adjacent stanchionlower ends 64, 66.

As will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, the pivotalconnection between the wings 12, 14, the elongated support legs 28, 30,32, and 34, at the bracket portions 20, 22 of the stanchions 24, 26permits the wings to be extendable to the position shown in the Figures,which is suitable for use as described above, and into a collapsedposition (not shown) with the wings 12, 14 being nested against thesupport legs and the stanchions. In order to provide verticalload-bearing support for the wings 12, 14, the collapsibleinfeed/outfeed table 10 is provided with two pairs of wing supportstruts 70, 72, 74, and 76. The wing support struts each have a first end80, 82, 84, and 86 pivotally connected to a corresponding support leg28, 30, 32, and 34, such as by bolts (not shown). Each wing supportstrut also has a free end 90, 92, 94, and 96 that is slidably receivedin a corresponding wing track 100, 110, 112, and 114, best seen in FIGS.3 and 4. Each strut free end 90 is provided with a transverse pin, suchas transverse pin 118, which may reside in a detent area 120 secured byspring clip 122 so as to maintain the wings, for example, wing 12, inthe extended position as shown in the Figures. As best seen in FIG. 4,the detent area 120 is configured such that a load on the wing 12 biasesthe pin 118 into the detent to prevent the wing from collapsing untilthe spring clip 122 is overcome by lifting the wing 12 vertically andthen collapsing the corresponding wing support struts 70, 72 in a mannerwell understood by those of ordinary skill in the art.

In order to further stabilize the support legs 28, 30, 32, and 34, thelower ends 64, 66 of the stanchions 24, 26 are provided with a pair ofleg support braces 130, 132, 134, and 136. Each leg support brace innerend 138, 140, 142, 144 is pivotally connected to the corresponding lowerend 64 or 66 of the corresponding stanchion 24 or 26, such as by bolts146, 148. Brace distal portions 154, 156, 158, and 160 are provided withcorresponding elongated slots 162, 164 166, and 168, which are connectedto portions of the corresponding support legs intermediate the stanchionbracket portions, 20, 22 and the first ends 80, 82, 84, 86 of the wingsupport struts 70, 72, 74, and 76. This arrangement permits the foldablelegs to collapse or extend in a controlled manner and also providessignificant lateral support for the table 10 when the wings 12, 14 arein the extended position shown in the Figures.

As will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, the abovefundamental structure of the collapsible infeed/outfeed table 10provides a sturdy surface (when all of the above-described structuralelements are in their extended positions) to support significantvertical loads. It will be appreciated that when the table is in itsextended position shown in the Figures, and a load is placed on the worksurface defined by the wings 12, 14 all of the structural members exceptthe legs 28, 30, 32, 34; stanchions 24, 26 and wing support struts 70,72, 74, 76 are in tension, providing for an extremely stable structure.In the preferred embodiment, each of these elements is made of formedsheet metal, such as steel, which has high strength in tension.Structural elements that are in compression, such as the legs, wingsupport struts and stanchions are either pivotally connected to anotherstructure, (such as support legs 28, 30, 32, and 34) or are received insliding tracks 100, 110, 112, and 114 in positions that are close tovertical so as to have significant rigidity in compression. As aconsequence, the collapsible infeed/outfeed table 10 may be manufacturedfrom relatively light-gauge steel and still have sufficient strength tosupport a heavy item, such as a powered chop saw, sliding crosscut saw,etc.

As will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reviewingthe above disclosure, the inherent strength of the table 10 assures thatthe table is well adapted for a variety of uses. When used to support apowered saw, such as a crosscut type of saw, the saw may be placed inthe middle of the table. Advantageously, the wing free ends 176, 178 areprovided with extensible roller structures 180, 182, best seen in FIG.4. Each wing has on a lateral side thereof two apertures, 191, 192 thatmay be selectively engaged by a removable pin 193 so as to permit theextensible roller structure to achieve a vertical orientation withrespect to the wing 12. The structure is provided with a telescopingmechanism 196 controlled by a clamp 198, allowing the roller 180 to beelevated above the surface of the wing 12 up to approximately 3 inches.The roller structures 180, 182 associated with the free end of each wingprovide a relatively frictionless input and output surface elevatedabove the surface of the table to receive material that is to becrosscut on the powered saw (not shown). Similarly, the stanchions 24,26 are also provided with a telescopic roller assembly 200, best seen inFIGS. 3 and 5. The roller assembly 200 includes an elongated roller 202rotationally mounted on a pair of masts 204, 206 that nest inside eachcorresponding stanchion 24, 26. Conventional hand-operated clamps 210,212 are provided on each stanchion 24, 26 to permit an operator toadjust the telescopic roller assembly 200 to a desired height from belowthe surface of the wings 12, 14 in the depressed area of the stanchionbracket portions 20, 22, up to approximately 6 inches above the surfaceof the wings 12, 14. In this manner, and with the wings 12, 14collapsed, the table 10 can be used as an infeed, outfeed roller supportwith the configuration similar to that of a sawhorse with a conventionalroller attached to the top thereof. Thus, the above, preferredembodiment of the invention is usable either as a work support tablewith all of the roller assemblies retracted and the wings extended, acrosscut saw support table with the central, telescopic assembly roller200 retracted and the wing extensible roller structures 180, 182extended, or as a roller infeed or outfeed support with the centraltelescopic roller assembly 200 extended and the wings 12, 14 collapsed.

FIGS. 6-15 show alternate or preferred embodiments of the invention.Referring now to FIG. 6, there is shown an embodiment of a work bench1000. This work bench has a first table top section 1001 and a secondtable top section 1002. These table top sections (1001, 1002) can bemade out of a molded plastic, according to one embodiment. In anembodiment where the table top sections are plastic, they may have a ribstructure added to the sections to increase strength of the table. Inother embodiments the table top sections (1001, 1002) may be made out ofwood, metal, or other polymers or similar materials. The table 1000 isheld together with a central support structure 1003. In one embodimentthe central support structure may also function as a handle. The centralsupport structure may be formed to have a handle that will lay flat withhe work surface when the table top sections are deployed. The table topsections 1001 and 1002 are pivotally attached to the center supportstructure 1003. These pivotal attachments will allow the table topsections (1001, 1002) to fold into a down or closed position. In oneembodiment this central support structure 1003 may be a bar that runsacross a length of the table 1000. In other embodiments, the centersupport structure 1003 can be a structure configured to accept pins orscrews to secure everything together. In this embodiment, the centralsupport structure 1003 may include a handle thereon for carrying thetable.

Below the table top there are two sets of legs 1004A and 1004B. The legsand other bars may have a reinforcement structure therein. Thereinforcement structure may be a series of cross sections that arelocated therein. Each set of legs has at least two leg supports 1005.The table has a shelf 1006 pivotally attached to the legs 1005. In oneembodiment this shelf 1006 can be made out of molded plastic. In otherembodiments the shelf 1006 can be made out of metal, wood, or otherpolymers. In one embodiment, the shelf 1006 can be split down a middlethereof to allow the shelf 1006 to fold with the table 1000. In a secondembodiment, this split can be created using offsetting flanges. Theseflanges can provide extra support to the shelf.

Referring to FIG. 7, there is shown an exploded, inset view of anembodiment of the table where the table tops 1001 and 1002 are connectedto the center support structure via a spring assembly 1021. The springassembly is made up of a spring 1022 that is partially inserted into oneof the table tops 1001, 1002. A connector 1023 allows the spring 1022 tobe connected to a pin 1024. The pin 1024, once connected to the spring1022 and inserted into the table top, is configured to support the tabletop in the upright configuration, as shown. This spring assembly allowsthe table tops 1001, 1002 to flex when in the folded position. Thisprevents a user's finger from being injured if it is positioned withinthe table.

Referring to FIG. 8, there is shown an embodiment of a table with anadditional support bar 1031 located between each set of legs. Thesesupport bars can be located either above or below the shelf. In thismanner, the support bar 1031 adds extra support to the legs. The supportbar 1031 can be made out of metal or any strong material.

Referring to FIG. 9, there are shown leg supports 1042 going from eachleg to the respective table top sections. These leg supports 1042 willallow for the table to remain in the upright position as more weight isplaced on the table. In this particular embodiment there is a hinge 1041placed on the leg support 1042. This allows for the support 1042 to befolded with the table top for storage or transport of the table.

Referring to FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, there are shown slidable connectionsplaced on either the legs 1051 (FIG. 10) or the table top 1061 (FIG.11). These slidable connections 1051 allow the leg supports 1042 to befolded when the table top sections are folded into the down position.These slidable connections allow for the leg supports to be in one solidsection with no breaks therein for a pivot point and add more strength.

Referring to FIG. 12, the shelf is split in the middle with a straightsplit 1071. This is differentiated from the other embodiments where thesplit is a series of offsetting flanges. The straight split can cometogether in an overlapping manner such that the split locks together inthe folded-out position.

Referring to FIG. 13, there is shown a wheel 1081 attached to each legin one set of legs. In this embodiment the table can be lifted slightlysuch that the legs without the wheels are above the ground. This willengage the wheels and allow the table to be rolled along a surface. Inthis manner the table does not have to be folded to be moved.

Referring to FIG. 14 and FIG. 15, there is a foot pedal 1091 and alocking assembly 1102 that locks the table in a closed position byclamping onto the opposite set of legs or to the shelf bar. The lockingassembly has a top clamp and a bottom clamp that may be biased in aclosed position. The foot pedal releases the locking assembly 1102 byseparating the top clamp from the bottom clamp. This will prevent thebench from opening unexpectedly and potentially causing injury.

Referring to FIG. 15, there is a V shaped support 1101 under the shelf.This support may be pivotally attached to the shelf. Further, the apexof the support may also have a pivot attachment. In this embodimentthese pivot attachments will allow the support to fold together when thebench is folded for storage. This support 1101 prevents the shelf fromcollapsing under a weight placed on the table. Further, this supportprevents the shelf from reaching a full 180 degree lock out position. Inthis manner the shelf can be easily folded when the table is put in thestorage position. There are also risers 1103 placed on the ends of eachtable top section. These risers 1103 may have an adjustable height andallow for a plank or other item to be risen to match the height of a sawplaced on the table, for example. These risers can also serve as visesand hold a plank or the other item down on the table. This is possibleby placing the plank or other item under the riser and locking the riserdown tight against the plank or other item.

In one embodiment the table is an A frame truss design. This designallows the table to be used without lifting the table tops into thedeployed position. This means that the table can be used like a sawhorse. Further, this design allows the table to become stronger the moreweight that I placed on it. As weight is placed on the table the tabletops will push down on the leg supports. This will then push the legsdown and out. In this manner the table will be less likely to collapseor fold in on itself.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will conceive of other alternateembodiments of the invention upon reviewing this disclosure. Thus, theinvention is not to be limited to the above description but is to bedetermined in scope by the claims which follow.

It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown anddescribed in what is considered to be the most practical and preferredembodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be madewithin the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications willoccur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the abovedescription then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensionalrelationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations insize, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assemblyand use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in theart, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in thedrawings and described in the specification are intended to beencompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of theprinciples of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications andchanges will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is notdesired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operationshown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications andequivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of theinvention.

I claim:
 1. An A-frame collapsible table, comprising: a first table topsection and a second table top section pivotally attached to a centersupport structure; a first set of legs pivotally attached to the centersupport structure and a second set of legs pivotally attached to thecenter support structure; wherein each set of legs comprises a first anda second leg support extending from the legs to the table top sections;wherein a shelf connection is placed between the first and second legsupport; wherein a shelf is attached to each pair of legs, wherein theshelf comprises a first section and second section, wherein the firstand second sections are attached to each other at opposite ends of theshelf connection holding the legs in a fixed position; a support placedunder the shelf section such that the top of the shelf section is keptat an angle, wherein the angle is slightly above one-hundred eightydegrees relative to the top of the shelf; wherein a middle point of theshelf is a vertex of the angle; and wherein the support still allows thetable to fold.
 2. The A-frame collapsible table of claim 1, wherein theshelf includes offsetting flanges at the opposite ends, the flanges holdthe shelf in a flat position.
 3. The A-frame collapsible table of claim1, further comprising a support crossbar placed between the first andsecond leg supports.
 4. The A-frame collapsible table of claim 3,wherein the support crossbar is at a position below the shelf.
 5. TheA-frame collapsible table of claim 1, wherein the shelf is pivotallyattached to each set of legs.
 6. The A-frame collapsible table of claim1, wherein the first and second shelf sections are pivotally attached toeach other at opposite ends of the shelf connection.
 7. The A-framecollapsible table of claim 1, further comprising support structures thatattach to each leg and connect to the table top sections.
 8. The A-framecollapsible table of claim 7, wherein the support structures areslidably attached to the table top sections.
 9. The A-frame collapsibletable of claim 7, wherein the support structures are pivotally attachedto the table top sections.
 10. The A-frame collapsible table of claim 9,wherein the support structures have a pivot disposed thereon that allowthe support structures to bend for folding.
 11. The A-frame collapsibletable of claim 7, wherein the support structures are slidably attachedto the legs.
 12. The A-frame collapsible table of claim 7, wherein thesupport structures are pivotally attached to the legs.
 13. The A-framecollapsible table of claim 1, wherein the table top sections arecomprised of linear rails with intermittent cross rails.
 14. The A-framecollapsible table of claim 1, wherein the table top sections areplastic.
 15. The A-frame collapsible table of claim 1, wherein the tabletop sections are made of plastic with steel reinforcing structure. 16.The A-frame collapsible table of claim 1, wherein the first table topsection is a different material than the second table top section. 17.The A-frame collapsible table of claim 1, further comprising wheelsattached to a bottom of at least one set of legs, wherein the wheels areonly in contact with the ground when the table is leaned toward thewheels.
 18. The A-frame collapsible table of claim 1, further comprisinga foot release lever configured to release the legs when said legs arein a closed position by pressing the foot release.
 19. The A-framecollapsible table of claim 1, further comprising springs partiallydisposed within the first table top section and the second table topsection that connects the sections to the center support structure,wherein the springs allows for the table top to give slightly uponclosing.
 20. The A-frame collapsible table of claim 1, wherein the tableis an A frame truss design.